ATP: Masters in Madrid canceled - will Kitzbühel start later?
The combined women and men tournament in Madrid will not take place this year. This was officially announced on Tuesday.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Aug 04, 2020, 05:16 pm
The signs had already condensed in the past week, now it is official: in 2020 there will be no major tennis event in the Caja Magical. The organizers of the Mutua Madrid Open announced on Tuesday. The tournament management thus follows the recommendations of the regional government, which had been canceled due to the rising COVID-19 infection numbers.
The week between the US Open or Kitzbühel and the tournament in Rome is suddenly free again. This fact raises several interesting questions, of a sporting and organizational nature.
What is Rafael Nadal doing?
First of all, how the cancellation of Madrid affects Rafael Nadal's tournament planning . The Spaniard had called for Madrid, as well as for Cincinnati and the US Open. In tennis circles, however, it was speculated that Nadal would give himself the US tour and would only start his personal restart at the first major clay court tournament of the year.
When it comes to tournament planning on the ATP tour, an appointment is suddenly free that could inspire some organizers' imaginations. In this respect, Hamburg can be seen first and foremost. The tradition-steeped 500 tournament at Rothenbaum could step into the breach for Madrid from September 13th, whether with a limited number or entirely without spectators, will prove.
Another option that is discussed by Spanish newspapers is to postpone the tournament in Kitzbühel by one week. This would eliminate the collision with the US Open and the top ten players, especially defending champions and local hero Dominic Thiem, could start at the foot of the Kitzbüheler Horn.
The two tournaments in New York are known to be held without spectators, as is Rome from September 20-27. In Kitzbühel, on the other hand, there are plans with fans, ticket sales for the Generali Open 2020 started on Monday. The French Open, which is to be the highlight of the short clay court season starting on September 27, wants to allow up to 20,000 fans daily on the facility.